ANKARA, March 26 (A.A) - Swiss Economy Minister and Confederation Deputy Chairman Pascal Couchepin has said that his government still supported Ilisu Dam project and they would offer Turkey credit to realize this project.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Couchepin briefed reporters about his contacts in Istanbul and Ankara.
Stating that two companies who were in the consortium formed for Ilisu Dam project witdrew from the project, Couchepin said that Swedish investors could continue the project if replacements are found for these two companies.
Couchepin had contacts with TUSIAD and Turkey-Switzerland Business Council Business Council representatives in Istanbul, and he was received by Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit in Ankara. He also held meetings with state ministers Kemal Dervis, Tunca Toskay and Energy Minister Zeki Cakan.
Couchepin indicated that the trave volume between Switzerland and Turkey was one billion Swiss francs adding that Switzerland was the world's eighth and Turkey was the sixth biggest investors.
He said that if Turkey makes certain changes in its intellectual property rights many Swiss companies could come to Turkey. He said the trade volume between the two countries could be better and that they wanted to increase Swiss investments in Turkey.
Couchepin said Turkey would join the EU before Switzerland since Swiss people have certain reservations about becoming a full EU member.
Responding a question, Couchepin said about the allegations on so-called Armenian genocide that Swiss government believed that such decisions should not be taken by political institutions, but by historians.
Recalling that a similar resolution was submitted to Swiss parliament in March of 2001 to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide, Couchepin noted that the resolution was rejected.
Noting that there were two kinds of parliaments in Switzerland, Couchepin said that the resolution was on the agenda of people's parliament.
He said that the resolution was signed by most of the deputies in the people's parliament, and added that this did not mean that the resolution would be approved.
The text signed by 115 deputies says that Switzerland recognized the so-called Armenian genocide, and request the government to show its attitude through diplomatic ways. The resolution is expected to debated in summer.
Meanwhile, Kurt Wyss, the Swiss Ambassador to Turkey, was summoned to the Foreign Affairs Ministry last week, and warned about Swiss parliament's initiative.